Articles, Publications & Press Releases

A New Year brings new opportunity to make healthy changes for your eyes. Aging can bring a dramatic difference in your vision. Reading the newspaper may have been a part of your daily morning routine, but has now become a hassle having to fumble with reading glasses to see text clearly. This condition, called Presbyopia, is a common occurrence in people ages 40-60 that make it more difficult to read things at a close range. Many people begin to manage this condition by having to hold reading materials far away from their face, causing headaches and eyestrain. Others may cope by using reading glasses, however, they eventually struggle with having to take them on and off throughout their day to see clearly. Sadly, the inconvenience of Presbyopia can start to interfere with your life. North Suburban Eye Specialists is proud to announce an innovative procedure that can help patients attain optimal eyesight for reading. Dr. Mark Lobanoff has decided to bring in a new technology to North Suburban Eye Specialists that can help eliminate this problem. What is Raindrop Near Vision Inlay? This new procedure, called the Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay, is here to help free patients from reading glasses. The Raindrop is a small, clear disk called an ‘inlay’ and is approximately the size of a pinhead. It’s composed of approximately 80% percent water and materials similar to a soft contact lens called hydrogel. This process, which only takes about 10 minutes to complete, is a non-painful alternative to readers and the first of its kind to change the shape of the cornea. How is Raindrop Vision Inlay Different than LASIK? The inlay is placed within the cornea under a flap in the eye. When it’s in its position, the inlay begins to change to the curvature of the eye. This transparent disk is undetectable to others, so no one will notice a cosmetic difference in your eye. The Raindrop is placed in the cornea of your non-dominant eye, making your nearsighted and farsighted vision work together to create a clear image. Unlike LASIK, it allows an eye to see both near and far. Innovative Procedure Leads to Successful Vision Results According to case studies, results of the procedure were still exceptional even after two years, as most patients continuously had clear vision reading everyday items without the help of reading glasses. Other results include: 98% patients could read a newspaper, 88% could read find print 76% could read an email on their computer desktop without any Presbyopia symptoms. Prior to surgery, you’ll be determined if you are an eligible candidate for the procedure. If accepted and you decide to move forward, an appointment will be scheduled to perform the surgery. The day after the no-stitch procedure is completed, you’ll be able to resume all of your daily activities, including driving. The Importance of Quality Eye Care at North Suburban Eye Specialists At North Suburban Eye Specialists, we believe that excellent technology and exceptional medical care are the perfect combination for clear vision. The Raindrop Inlay is the newest innovation in eliminating the need for reading glasses, and we’re the first in Minnesota to bring it to you. If you’re interested in this efficient alternative to readers, make sure to call us to discuss your options...

Effective November 1st, 2016, people applying for a new passport must take off their glasses before their picture is taken. Within the past year, there were more than 200,000 passport photos submitted of such poor quality that they did not pass government standards. What was the number one reason? Glasses. Lenses cause shadows and glares on the face that can make someone almost unrecognizable, which ultimately makes the passport deemed useless. With 20 million passport applications expected to come through the State Department this year, this change will help avoid needless clogging. Under this rule, there are certain exceptions that allow glasses to be worn. The State Department says that in situations of “documented medical necessity during urgent-travel,” glasses may be worn if you have a signed statement from a medical professional. If you’ve already had your passport picture taken with glasses prior to this change don’t worry, it’s still valid, you’ll just be asked to take them off when you get it renewed. This change creates a perfect opportunity to shed the glasses for good and learn more about your options with LASIK surgery. With our free LASIK consultations, you’ll be able to learn about the ease and benefits of losing your contacts and seeing clearly with no accessories. Discover more about our LASIK services...

Recently, Dr. Lobanoff became the first surgeon at North Suburban Eye Specialists to use the new AMO Symfony IOL, the latest addition to the TECNIS® Family of IOLs. Approved in July 2016, AMO Symfony IOL are the only lenses in the United States that provide a full range of continuous high-quality vision following cataract surgery, while also minimizing the symptoms of presbyopia by helping patients focus on near objects. During a cataract surgery, the natural lens of the eye is removed, and an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens, or IOL, is then inserted into the cataract patient’s eye. The Symfony lens has been approved in more than 50 countries around the world, and has been widely studied. In clinical studies, it was found the Symfony lens: ● Provided patients seamless, day-to-night vision ● Provided improved, high-quality vision ● Demonstrated a low incidence of halo and glare Cataracts continue to be an extremely common condition with in Americans, with approximately 4 million cataract surgeries performed each year. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. North Suburban Eye Specialists Cataract Surgery Center is the premier cataract center in the Twin Cities, bringing together the industry’s leading cataract surgery services, LENSAR laser cataract surgery and all refractive intraocular lenses. Contact us today to learn more about AMO Symfony IOL and to schedule your cataract...

Congratulations to David Folden, MD for being named in Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine’s annual listing of Rising Stars for the third year in a row! MSP Mag listed 383 Docs in 43 different specialties to watch in 2017, with Dr. Folden being honored as a rising star in Ophthalmology. Dr. Folden specializes in LASIK, cataract, and refractive lens implant surgery. As an early adopter of femtosecond laser technology, he is now considered to be among the most experienced laser cataract surgeons in the state of Minnesota. He works closely within the industry to improve the design of instruments used for laser cataract surgery, enhancing overall safety and prioritizing comfort for patients undergoing this procedure. In 2015, in partnership with Rhein Medical, Dr. Folden invented a cataract surgical tool, the Folden Femto Dissector. This instrument was designed to simplify laser-created corneal incision opening and improving outcomes, safety and comfort for patients. The tool has received great reviews and acclaim. Dr. Folden received his medical degree from the University of North Dakota where he gained recognition for his research in cardiac physiology and infectious disease. He and his wife, Rachel, have two children. For entertainment, they enjoy local restaurants and travel. See the full listing...

Revolutionary new procedure provides surgeons the ability to improve vision through a treatment of each patient’s unique corneal topography. Blaine, Minn. – North Suburban Eye Specialists, a technologically leading eye care center and regional hub for patients seeking cataract, LASIK, corneal and glaucoma eye surgeries, has recently become the first eye care facility in Minnesota to perform Alcon’s Contoura Vision Treatment, a topography-guided LASIK treatment for patients with nearsightedness and nearsightedness with astigmatism. The new procedure represents the first big advancement in LASIK technology in the last 10 years and is the first procedure to offer improved night vision. FDA trials for Contoura LASIK showed the best vision results for any LASIK study ever performed. See results here. Fully 1 in 3 patients obtained 20/12 vision (twice as good as 20/20). Thirty percent of patients could see a full line better than with their glasses or contacts. After Contoura, patients had less light sensitivity and less glare than they did with their glasses or contacts, the first time this has ever been achieved in an FDA LASIK treatment study. Developed over 10 years and backed by FDA approval, Contoura Vision was designed to provide surgeons like North Suburban Eye Specialists’ Dr. Mark Lobanoff with the ability to perform a laser treatment based on the unique corneal topography of each eye. The results are a major leap forward over how LASIK has been performed for the last 20 years. “By treating the microscopic hills and valleys on each eye we are able to smooth the topography of the cornea, improving how light is focused on the retina,” said Dr. Lobanoff. “This long awaited technology provides countless benefits to patients seeking LASIK. Vision post-procedure is not just equal to glasses or contacts, but better. Treating the topography results in better sharpness of vision and night driving abilities, and decreases reading difficulties and light sensitivity. By far, it is the best the world has ever seen.” During the procedure, a patient’s eye is imaged and analyzed using 22,000 unique elevation points on the cornea. The data is collected to make a unique user profile which is then used to automatically adjust laser placement to match the patients’ eye topography during the treatment. For more information about North Suburban Eye Specialists and this new technology, or to schedule your free consultation, click here or call 763.421.7420. MEDIA CONTACT: Katie Volney, Lola Red, (612) 333-1723 About North Suburban Eye Specialists North Suburban Eye Specialists was founded in 1975 with the mission to deliver exceptional patient care by providing high-quality services using the latest surgical technology. North Suburban Eye Specialists, which has locations in Coon Rapids and Blaine, offers services in general ophthalmology, refractive surgery (LASIK, Implantable Contact Lens, phakic intraocular lenses, clear lensectomy, etc.), cataract surgery, and glaucoma surgery. North Suburban Eye Specialists has subspecialists available to treat retinal, oculoplastic and corneal...

Congratulations to David Folden, MD for being named in Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine’s annual listing of Rising Stars. MSP Mag listed 383 Docs to Watch in 2017 with Dr. Folden being honored as a rising star in Ophthalmology. Dr. Folden specializes in cataract, LASIK, and refractive lens implant surgery. His interest and experience in cataract surgery includes Micro-Incision (MICS) techniques and the use of the LENSAR™ femtosecond laser. As an early adopter of femtosecond laser technology, he is now among the most experienced laser cataract surgeons in the state of Minnesota. He works closely with industry to improve the design of instruments used for laser cataract surgery, enhancing safety and comfort for patients undergoing this procedure. In 2015, in partnership with Rhein Medical, Dr. Folden invented a cataract surgical tool, the Folden Femto Dissector. This instrument was designed to simplify laser-created corneal incision opening and improving outcomes, safety and comfort for patients. The tool has received great reviews and acclaim. Dr. Folden received his medical degree from the University of North Dakota. He has published his research in various journals including the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery and the American Journal of Ophthalmology. He and his wife, Rachel, have two young children. For entertainment, they enjoy local restaurants and...

In the Fall 2015 issue of EyeWitness: A publication of the Contact Lens Society of America (CLSA), Dr. Lobanoff has his article published “The Importance of the Limbal Stem Cell”. In the article, Dr. Lobanoff informs readers how these unique group of cells, hidden deep in the limbus’s rete ridges of the palisades of Vogt, maintain clear vision and healthy corneas. Whether blasted by ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, high airflow, bacteria and more, the corneal epithelium is under constant attack. Without fresh new cells from the limbus, the cornea would quickly succumb to damage and fail. Learn the pivotal role of these stem cells in Dr. Lobanoff’s full article...

In this review of the Folden Femto Dissector, Becker’s ASC Review highlights 5 quick notes about the new cataract surgical tool. To see what they view as the 5 key takeaways, view the article in full here.

Review of Ophthalmology reviewed two new surgical instruments from Rhein Medical that is easing complications common with Femto Surgery. Dr. Folden’s Femto Dissector is one of the tools discussed and how it is used for corneal incisions during cataract surgery. For more information, read the article here.

Ophthalmology Times Discusses How the Folden Femto Double-Ended Dissector Resolves laser-created corneal incisions. During cataract surgery, laser-created incisions in the cornea have always created issues for cataract surgeons. But there’s finally a solution. Ophthalmology Times interviews Dr. Folden and his new cataract surgical tool and its design, inspiration and how it can help surgeons. The tool – a double-ended dissector allows improved opening of all femtosecond laser-created corneal incisions during cataract surgery. You’ll find out how it’s double-ended design improves the flap opening for both surgeon and patient. Read the full interview...